Railcar Truck

ABSTRACT

A saddle and pedestal for a railcar truck adapted to receive a bearing and a wheel axle. The saddle includes a roof having a roof cavity, a first side wall extending downwardly from the roof to a first end having a first pocket and a second side wall extending downwardly from the roof to a second end having a second pocket. A rocker member is adapted to be inserted into the roof cavity of the roof and to engage the bearing. One or more fasteners removably attach the rocker member to the roof such that the rocker member is selectively removable for maintenance. One or more shims may be placed between the rocker member and the roof to adjust the position of the rocker member. A removable link member extends between the first and second ends of the side walls. The link member includes a first end adapted to be inserted into the first pocket and a second end adapted to be inserted into the second pocket. The link member maintains a minimum spacing between the ends of the side walls. The pedestal includes a first pedestal jaw having a first wear member and a second pedestal jaw having a second wear member. The wear members are formed of cast iron which has a coefficient of friction with steel or acicular iron of approximately 0.15.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 60/231,560, filed Sep. 11, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention is directed to a railcar truck, and inparticular to a railcar truck having a side frame pedestal including acast iron wear plate adapted to engage a friction wedge and a saddlehaving an adjustable and removable rocker member and a removable linkarm.

[0003] Railcar trucks include a pair of spaced apart generally parallelside frames connected by a transverse bolster. Each side frame includesa pedestal at each end that is adapted to be connected by a saddle to awheel set. A plurality of springs extend between the saddle and the sideframe such that the side frame is resiliently supported on the saddle.Friction wedges are disposed between the saddle and the side frame todampen vertical, lateral and longitudinal movement of the side framewith respect to the saddle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] A saddle and a pedestal for a railcar truck adapted to receive abearing and a wheel axle. The saddle includes a roof having a roofcavity, a first side wall extending downwardly from the roof, and asecond side wall extending downwardly from the roof The first and secondside walls are spaced apart from one another such that the bearing andwheel axle are adapted to be located between the first and second sidewalls. A rocker member includes a top wall and a bottom wall. The topwall of the rocker member is adapted to be inserted into the roof cavityof the roof and the bottom wall of the rocker member is adapted toengage the bearing. One or more fasteners removably attach the rockermember to the roof such that the rocker member is selectively removableand replaceable for maintenance. One or more shims may be locatedbetween the top wall of the rocker member and the roof to selectivelyadjust the position of the rocker member with respect to the roof Asheet-like backing member may be inserted in the roof cavity between theroof and the rocker member or shim to accommodate any surfaceirregularities in the roof.

[0005] The first side wall of the saddle includes a first end spacedapart from the roof and the second side wall of the saddle includes asecond end spaced apart from the roof. A link member extends between thefirst end of the first side wall and the second end of the second sidewall. The link member includes a first end adapted to engage the firstend of the first side wall and a second end adapted to engage the secondend of the second side wall. The link member is selectively removablyfrom the first side wall and the second side wall. The first end of thefirst side wall includes a first pocket having rear wall, a top wall anda pair of wing members which form the first pocket. The second end ofthe second side wall includes a second pocket including a rear wall, atop wall and a pair of wing members which form the second pocket. Thefirst end of the link member is adapted to be inserted within the firstpocket between the wing members such that it engages the rear wall andtop wall of the first pocket. The second end of the link member isadapted to be inserted into the second pocket between the wing memberssuch that the second end engages the rear wall and top wall of thesecond pocket. The top wall of the first pocket includes a first boreand the top wall of the second pocket includes a second bore. The firstend of the link member includes a first aperture and the second end linkmember includes a second aperture. A first fastener is adapted to beinserted through the first bore and the first aperture to removablyattach the first end of the link member to the first end of the firstside wall. A second fastener is adapted to be inserted through thesecond bore and the second aperture to removably attach the second endof the link member to the second end of the second side wall.

[0006] The pedestal includes a first pedestal jaw having a firstinterior face and a second pedestal jaw including a second interiorface. A first wear member is attached to the first face of the pedestaljaw and includes a front friction surface adapted to engage a firstfriction wedge. A second wear member is attached to the second face ofthe second pedestal jaw and includes a front friction surface adapted toengage a second friction wedge. The first wear member and the secondwear member are formed from the material having a kinetic coefficient offriction with steel of approximately 0.15 such as cast iron. A thinsheet-like backing member may be located between each wear member and aninterior face of the pedestal jaw.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0007]FIG. 1 is a partial cross sectional view of a rail car truck ofthe present invention.

[0008]FIG. 2 is a front view of the wear member of the pedestal of thetruck side frame.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the wear member taken alongline 3-3 of FIG. 2.

[0010]FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of the saddle of therailcar truck shown with a shim.

[0011]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the saddle of the railcar truck.

[0012]FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view of the saddle withthe shim removed.

[0013]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0014] The railcar truck 20 as shown in FIG. 1 includes a pair of spacedapart and generally parallel side frames 22 (only one shown). The sideframes 22 are connected to one another by a transverse bolster (notshown). Each side frame 22 includes a pedestal 24 at each end. Thepedestal 24 includes a first pedestal jaw 26 and a second pedestal jaw28. A pedestal cavity 30 is formed between the first and second pedestaljaws 26 and 28. The first pedestal jaw 26 includes an inclined face 32and the second pedestal jaw 28 includes an inclined face 34.

[0015] A saddle 35 is adapted to be located within the pedestal cavity30. A plurality of resilient coil springs 36 extend between the saddle35 and the pedestal 24 such that the pedestal 24 is resilientlysupported by the springs 36. A bearing 37 and an axle 38 of a wheel setis coupled to the saddle 35 such that the axle 38 is rotatable withrespect to the saddle 35. A plurality of friction wedges 39 having wearsurfaces formed of composite material and steel or acicular iron, areresiliently biased by one or more springs 36 into engagement with thepedestal 24 and the saddle 35 to dampen vertical movement of thepedestal 24 with respect to the saddle 35.

[0016] A wear member 40 is removably attached to the inside surface theinclined face 32 of the first pedestal jaw 28 and a wear member 40 isalso attached to the inside surface of the inclined face 34 of thesecond pedestal jaw 28. The wear member 40, as best shown in FIG. 2,includes a generally rectangular wear plate 42 having a top edge 44, abottom edge 46, and spaced apart and generally parallel first and secondside edges 48 and 50 which extend between the top and bottom edges 44and 46. The wear plate 42 includes a generally planar front frictionsurface 52 and a generally planar rear surface 54 which is generallyparallel to the friction surface 52. The wear plate 42 includes one ormore apertures 56 which may be conical or countersunk. The wear plate 42is preferably formed from cast iron which has a kinetic coefficient offriction with steel or acicular iron of approximately 0.15.

[0017] The wear member 40 also includes a backing member 60 which may beattached to the rear surface 54 of the wear plate 42 by an adhesive orthe like. The backing member 60 extends generally coextensively with therear surface 54. The backing member 60 is preferably formed from a sheetof polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) that is approximately one millimeterthick. The backing member 60 includes an exterior surface 62 and one ormore apertures 64 which are respectively aligned with the apertures 56in the wear plate 42. The backing member 60 is adapted to be placedadjacent the inclined face 32 or 34 of the pedestal 24 to accommodateany surface irregularities in the cast surface of the inclined faces 32and 34 thereby providing a good mating fit between the rear surface 54of the wear plates 42 and the inclined faces 32 and 34. The backingmember 60 reduces or dampens any noise that may otherwise be producedbetween the fit of the wear plate 42 with the pedestal 24.

[0018] Forming the wear plate 42 from cast iron which has a kineticcoefficient of friction with the steel or acicular iron of the frictionwedge 39 of approximately 0.15, as opposed to forming the wear plate 42from steel which has a kinetic coefficient of friction with the steel oracicular iron of the friction wedge 39 of approximately 0.30, promotesgeneration of a lower axle centering force. Axle centering forces acthorizontally toward the center of the axle at curves in the railroadtrack and are generated by surface forces between the friction wedge 39and the wear member 40. When the axle centering force can be decreased,the forces generated at the wheel/rail interface that are needed to movethe axle are also lower and self-steering of the wheel is promoted.Lower self-steering forces are particularly required at laden. Highresistance to self-steering can be caused by use of steel wear plates.In addition, wear plate 42 from cast iron has a better damping capacitythan a steel wear plate, making the suspension less prone to generatingnoise.

[0019] The saddle 35 of the railcar truck 20 as best shown in FIG. 4extends between a first end 70 and a second end 72. The saddle 35includes a center post 74 having a generally horizontal roof 76, a firstside wall 78 that extends downwardly from the roof 76 to a bottom end80, and a second side wall 82 that extends downwardly from the roof 76to a bottom end 84. The second side wall 82 is spaced apart from thefirst side wall 78 and a cavity 86 is formed therebetween. A horizontalfirst shelf 88 extends outwardly from the bottom end 80 of the firstside wall 78 to the first end 70 of the saddle 35. A horizontal secondshelf 90 extends outwardly from the bottom end 84 to the second end 72of the saddle 35. Each shelf 88 and 90 is adapted to engage and supportthe bottom end of a spring 36 as shown in FIG. 1. The roof 76 includes aroof cavity 92 that is in communication with the cavity 86.

[0020] As best shown in FIGS. 4, 6 and 7, the bottom end 80 of the firstside wall 78 includes a pocket 94 and the bottom end 84 of the secondside wall 82 includes a pocket 95. Each pocket 94 and 95 includes avertical and generally planar rear wall 96, a horizontal and generallyplanar top wall 98, a vertical generally planar first side wall 100, anda vertical and generally planar second side wall 102. The first sidewall 100 is spaced apart from and is generally parallel to the secondside wall 102. The pockets 94 and 95 are in communication with thecavity 86. Each pocket 94 and 95 is open at its bottom end that opposesits top wall 98. The first pocket 94 forms a pair of opposing wingmembers 104 at the bottom end 80 of the first side wall 78 on each sideof the pocket 94. The second pocket 95 forms a pair of opposing wingmembers 106 on each side of the pocket 95 at the bottom end 84 of thesecond side wall 82. A threaded bore 108 extends vertically upwardlythrough the top wall 98 of the pocket 94 into the first side wall 78. Athreaded bore 110 extends vertically upwardly through the top wall 98 ofthe pocket 95 into the second side wall 82.

[0021] The saddle 35 includes a selectively removable link member 120.The link member 120 extends generally linearly between a first end 122and a second end 124. The first end 122 includes an aperture 126 and thesecond end 124 includes an aperture 127. The first end 122, as bestshown in FIG. 6, includes a generally vertical and planar end wall 128which is adapted to engage the rear wall 96 of the first pocket 94 ofthe first side wall 78. The first end 122 of the link member 120 alsoincludes a generally horizontal and planar top wall 130 that is adaptedto engage the top wall 98 of the first pocket 94 of the first side wall78. The second end 124 of the link member 120, as best shown in FIG. 4,includes a vertical and generally planar end wall 132 that is adapted toengage the rear wall 96 of the second pocket 95 of the second side wall82. The second end 124 of the link member 120 also includes a horizontaland generally planar top wall 134 which is adapted to engage the topwall 98 of the second pocket 95. As best shown in FIG. 7, the centerportion of the link member 120 is generally I-shaped.

[0022] The first end 122 of the link member 120 is inserted into thefirst pocket 94 of the first side wall 78 of the saddle 35 such that theend wall 128 engages the rear wall 96 of the first pocket 94, and suchthat the vertical aperture 126 is aligned with the aperture 108 in thetop wall 98 of the pocket 94. A fastener 136 such as a bolt is insertedthrough the first end 122 of the link member 120 into the saddle bore108 of the top wall 98. The second end 124 of the link member 120 isinserted into the second pocket 95 of the second side wall 82 of thesaddle 35 such that the end wall 132 engages the rear wall 96 of thesecond pocket 95. The vertical aperture 127 at the second end 124 of thelink member 120 is aligned with the bore 110 in the top wall 98 of thesecond pocket 95 and a fastener 138 is placed therethrough.

[0023] The length of the link member 120 between the end walls 128 and132 is such that the link member 120 will closely fit between and matewith the rear walls 96 of the first pocket 94 and second pocket 95 dueto use of an interference fit. The link member 120 is placed incompression during operation by the loads that are applied from thesprings 36 to the shelves 88 and 90 of the saddle 35. The fasteners 136and 138 do not act to transfer any shear load or shear force between thelink member 120 and the first and second side walls 78 and 82 of thesaddle 35. The loads from the first and second side walls 78 and 82 aretransferred to the link member 120 by engagement with the end walls 128and 132 of the link member 120. The fasteners 136 and 138 are tightenedin order to apply a compression frustrum between the end of the linkmember 120 and the top walls 98 of the pockets 94 and 95 of the saddle35. Hence the link member 120 is held in contact with the saddle pocketsat all times on walls 96 and 98 of pockets 94 and 95 of saddle 35.

[0024] The link member 120 facilitates easy maintenance of the railcartruck 20. In order to remove the saddle 35 from the wheel set, thefasteners 136 and 138 are removed, and then the link member 120 isremoved from the saddle 35. This is done by use of an expansion toolacting between the side walls 78 and 82, such that the pocket rear walls96 are moved apart in order to negate the interference fit of the endsof the link member 120 over walls 128 and 132. Once the link member 120is removed, the saddle 35, springs 36, and side frame 22 may then belifted upwardly away from the wheel set to enable the performance ofmaintenance. The saddle 35, springs 36, and side frame 22 are heldtogether during lifting by retaining studs 142.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the saddle 35 is supported on the bearing 37and axle 38 of the wheel set by a rocker member 150. The rocker member150 includes a top wall 152 which is generally planar and which isadapted to be inserted into the roof cavity 92 of the roof 76 of thesaddle 35. The rocker member 150 also includes a bottom wall 154 whichis adapted to engage the bearing 37. The rocker member 150 includes aplurality of threaded bores which extend into the rocker member 150through the top wall 152. A backing member 158 is placed between therocker member 150 and the roof 76 of the saddle 35 within the roofcavity 92 to accommodate any cast or forged surface irregularities inthe surface of the roof 76. The backing member 158 is preferably a sheetof PTFE approximately one millimeter thick. The backing member 158 alsoreduces or dampens noise which may otherwise be created between therocker member 150 and the saddle 35. The rocker member 150 is removablyattached to the roof 76 of the saddle 35 by a plurality of threadedfasteners 160 which extend through apertures in the roof 76 and whichthreadably engage the bores 156 in the rocker member 150.

[0026] The mechanical attachment of the rocker member 150 to the roof 76of the saddle 35 by the fasteners 160 enables the rocker member 150 tobe easily and quickly replaced if the rocker member becomes worn ordamaged. In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the mechanical attachment ofthe rocker member 150 to the roof 76 also enables, when desired, a shim162 to be placed between the top wall 152 of the rocker member 150 andthe backing member 158 that is located within the roof cavity 92 of theroof 76. The shim 162 includes a plurality of apertures through whichthe fasteners 160 may extend from the roof 76 into the bores 156 of therocker member 150. The shim 162 includes a top wall 164 that is adaptedto engage the backing member 158 and a bottom wall 166 that is adaptedto engage the top wall 152 of the rocker member 150. The shim 162 mayhave a thickness of up to approximately eighteen to twenty millimetersbetween the top wall 164 and the bottom wall 166. The ability to place ashim 162 of a desired thickness between the rocker member 150 and thebacking member 158 in the roof 76 enables the saddle 35 and itsadjoining parts to be height adjusted to accommodate excessive wheelwear and spring vertical movement that otherwise would cause the carbody buffer centers go out of gauge tolerance.

[0027] Various features of the invention have been particularly shownand described in connection with the illustrated embodiments of theinvention, however, it must be understood that these particulararrangements merely illustrate, and that the invention is to be givenits fullest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A saddle for a railcar truck adapted to receive abearing, said saddle including: a roof having a roof cavity; a firstside wall extending downwardly from said roof; a second side wallextending downwardly from said roof, said second side wall spaced apartfrom said first side wall such that the bearing is adapted to be locatedbetween said first side wall and said second side wall; a rocker memberhaving a top wall and a bottom wall, said top wall adapted to beinserted into said roof cavity of said roof, said bottom wall adapted toengage the bearing; and a fastener adapted to removably attach saidrocker member to said roof; whereby said rocker member is selectivelyremovable from said roof for maintenance.
 2. The saddle of claim 1wherein said roof includes an aperture and said rocker member includes abore extending through said top wall into said rocker member, saidfastener adapted to extend through said aperture into said bore.
 3. Thesaddle of claim 1 including a shim located in said roof cavity betweensaid top wall of said rocker member and said roof.
 4. The saddle ofclaim 3 wherein said shim includes a top wall, a bottom wall and anaperture extending through said shim from said top wall to said bottomwall of said shim, said roof includes an aperture, and said rockermember includes a bore extending into said rocker member through saidtop wall of said rocker member, said fastener adapted to extend throughsaid aperture in said roof and said aperture in said shim into said boreof said rocker member.
 5. The saddle of claim 1 including a backingmember located between said top wall of said rocker member and saidroof.
 6. The saddle of claim 5 wherein said backing member comprises asheet of polytetrafluoroethylene.
 7. A saddle for a railcar truckadapted to receive a bearing, said saddle including: a roof; a firstside wall extending downwardly from said roof, said first side wallincluding a first end spaced apart from said roof; a second side wallextending downwardly from said roof, said second side wall being spacedapart from said first side wall such that the bearing is adapted to belocated between said first side wall and said second side wall, saidsecond side wall including a second end spaced apart from said roof; anda link member extending between said first side wall and said secondside wall, said link member including a first end adapted to engage saidfirst end of said first side wall and a second end adapted to engagesaid second end of said second side wall, said link member beingselectively removable from said first side wall and said second sidewall.
 8. The saddle of claim 7 wherein said first end of said first sidewall includes a first pocket adapted to receive said first end of saidlink member, and said first end of said second side wall includes asecond pocket adapted to receive said second end of said link member. 9.The saddle of claim 8 wherein said first pocket includes a rear wall andsaid second pocket includes a rear wall, said first end of said linkmember adapted to engage said rear wall of said first pocket and saidsecond end of said link member adapted to engage said rear wall of saidsecond pocket.
 10. The saddle of claim 8 wherein said first pocketincludes a top wall and said second pocket includes a top wall, saidfirst end of said link member adapted to engage said top wall of saidfirst pocket and said second end of said link member adapted to engagesaid top wall of said second pocket.
 11. The saddle of claim 10 whereinsaid top wall of said first pocket includes a first bore and said topwall of said second pocket includes a second bore, said first end ofsaid link member includes a first aperture, and said second end of saidlink member includes a second aperture, said first bore and said firstaperture adapted to receive a first fastener for removably attachingsaid first end of said link member to said first end of said first sidewall, and said second bore and said second aperture adapted to receive asecond fastener for removably attaching said second end of said linkmember to said second end of said second side wall.
 12. The saddle ofclaim 8 wherein said first end of said first side wall includes a firstwing member and a second wing member, said first pocket being locatedbetween said first and second wing members, and said second end of saidsecond side wall includes a third wing member and a fourth wing member,said second pocket being located between said third and fourth wingmembers.
 13. A pedestal of a side frame for a railcar truck having afirst friction wedge and a second friction wedge, said pedestalincluding: a first pedestal jaw including a first interior face; asecond pedestal jaw including a second interior face; a first wearmember attached to said first face of said first pedestal jaw, saidfirst wear member having a front friction surface adapted to engage thefirst friction wedge, said first wear member being formed from amaterial having a kinetic coefficient of friction with steel or aciculariron of approximately 0.15; and a second wear member attached to saidsecond face of said second pedestal jaw, said second wear member havinga front friction surface adapted to engage the second friction wedge,said second wear member being formed from a material having a kineticcoefficient of friction with steel or acicular iron of approximately0.15.
 14. The pedestal jaw of claim 13 wherein said material having akinetic coefficient of friction with steel or acicular iron ofapproximately 0.15 comprises cast iron.
 15. The pedestal jaw of claim 13including a backing member located between said first wear member andsaid first face of said first pedestal jaw.
 16. The pedestal jaw ofclaim 15 wherein said backing member comprises a sheet ofpolytetrafluoroethylene.